Figure 3.

Schematic representation of glycyrrhizic acid effect on SARS-CoV-2 virus replication. The penetration of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into the cells, where it finds the ideal conditions for its replication, is mediated by ACE2 receptor with TMPRSS2 co-factor. Since ACE2 expression is regulated by MR (mineralocorticoid receptors), GL (green box) inside the cell inhibits 11β-HSD2 enzyme, allowing cortisol to activate MR. Then, the activation of MR leads to reduction of TMPRSS2 expression, causing an ACE2 downregulation. The 11β-HSD2 inhibition restricts the virus access to the cell, and consequently, the virus replication is inhibited.